What is going on with the royal family in 2024? That’s what a lot of people are asking in the confusing days of King Charles III‘s recent cancer diagnosis. The revelation on Monday that the monarch was undergoing treatment that was unrelated to his recent enlarged prostate procedure sent shockwaves through the palace — and his request for privacy might be the wrong response in this chaotic moment.
While Buckingham Palace’s statement about his cancer noted that “His Majesty has chosen to share his diagnosis to prevent speculation and in the hope it may assist public understanding for all those around the world who are affected by cancer,” it may have set off a firestorm of headlines that show how unstable the monarchy is right now. While Peopleconfirmed that it was not prostate cancer, Charles’ condition, in the wake of Prince Harry suddenly flying to the U.K., and Kate Middleton‘s recovery from “planned abdominal surgery,” the lack of transparency is even shaking up those behind the palace walls.
One royal source told the media outlet, “I was really shocked when I heard it.” Another insider felt that Charles “has not looked himself” lately, but they chalked it up to “grief.” They added, “He’d had two deaths close together [his mother, Queen Elizabeth, in Sept. 2022 and his father, Prince Philip in April 2021]—but maybe he wasn’t well, without realizing so. It would take it out of him.” With so few of the senior royals working in a full-time capacity, it leaves the palace open to more speculation and headlines (like Kate in coma), which was something they were trying to avoid in the first place.
The New York Times has described those left standing, including Princess Anne and Queen Camilla, as the “skeleton crew of working royals.” Royal experts are now weighing in on how the monarchy may have to quickly shift its strategy to keep itself functioning in a modern world without Queen Elizabeth II. “There aren’t that many of them,” former BBC correspondent Peter Hunt told The New York Times. “There are only two of them who are under 50. They’ve got to decide whether to continue to deliver on the queen’s mantra. What is the core minimum of engagements they need to do to do that?”
While King Charles may feel like he’s being open about his diagnosis, the generalization of his illness only fuels the fury around him — and leaves everyone at the palace extremely vulnerable. He’s only seven months into his official reign as king, but Charles is finding that he’s worked the royal family into a crisis — the “slimmed-down” approach got them here.
Before you go, click here to see the 100 best photos of the royal family from the past 20 years.
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